Saturday, April 3, 2010

70 Pounds Lost

To date I have lost 70 pounds. I have hit many milestones along the way and am nearly halfway to my weight goal. People ask me a lot if this journey is still hard, or if it gets any easier. Well, the answer is kinda complicated. LOL

Every day is a new challenge of it's own. This journey has been easier than I anticipated in some ways, but harder in others. I have learned so much, but am still learning new things about myself, my body, and most importantly my mind and thoughts.

In the beginning I was so focused on perfection. I made sure I was eating only the things I was "allowed" to have, and got in all my vegetables, all my protein, etc, etc. Today those things are more second nature. The automating has helped with that a ton! I don't have to guess at what I can and can't have because I have learned so much about different foods and how they react with my body. I have learned how to choose wisely and which foods work better for me than others.

This is not to say that I always make the right choices though! LOL I still have a sweet tooth. I still want chips, and cereal, and chocolate, and whatever everyone else is eating. But it's different than it was 5 months ago. It's a struggle still, but now I have the power and the knowledge and the courage to just say no (most of the time) :)

Exercise used to be my nemesis! It was the one thing I struggled the most with in the beginning. It took everything in me to even go for a 30 minute walk. I found having a goal made it easier to get the exercise in. I decided to do a 5K so I knew I had to prepare for that. I would go every night and walk at the highest speed I could, usually about 3.3-3.5 and then I'd add jogging intervals. At first I could only do about 30 seconds. But now I can jog longer and further at a time. Before I knew it, I found myself loving my workouts and missing them if I wasn't able to fit them in.

Yes, I became "that" girl! LOL I love working out! I love trying new machines at the gym, I love pushing myself on the elliptical and on my jogs. Exercise has become a part of me that I never want to let go! :)

Food is still an issue for me. It is an day-by-day (and sometimes hour-by-hour) struggle to make the right decisions. Every now and again I sneak a treat here, or a bite there. Sometimes it's a whole something LOL but the difference now is that it doesn't defeat me. Before, a bite would have sabotaged my entire diet. I would feel guilty, and then eat more, and then feel guiltier, and eat more, etc, etc. Now, instead of allowing food to define me, I try to find the "why" behind my choice. Was I bored? Was I sad? Was I tired? Was I hurting? Was I PMS'ing? The next time I feel that way I can identify it and have alternatives ready to satisfy the craving. I'm still working on this part, but it's a process. :)

The biggest thing is take it in steps, baby steps then lead up bigger steps and leaps and then bounds. And before you know it you've got a whole new attitude and way of living. If you lay out everything you are supposed to do to be healthy it's very overwhelming! Every time I type it out I think, wow! that's a lot! LOL :) But, if you take one or two things at a time and then build from there you will find it is a lot easier and actually doable.

If I can do this, ANYONE can! Seriously! I'm just an ordinary woman living an ordinary life. I have no magical powers or will power of steel LOL You can do this!

Girl you are amazing!!! You motivated this girl! After first reading your story i started getting serious with eating better and exercising and have lost 16 lbs! You are an inspiration! Keep up the hard work and keep my butt motivated! No pressure...lol

And yes, I absolutely feel like I'm on a roller coaster!! :) I have days where I feel great, I can do anything, I'm feeling fabulous and smaller and, dare I say it, sexy... but then there are other days when I feel fat, and horrible, and just having a bad day. I think that's life, especially as a woman. Our bodies change so much from week to week with hormones and all that fun stuff. :) But I'm learning to embrace it and to understand that it is a journey and I will get there, one day at a time. :)

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Thank you Dr. Oz!

This blog is to chronicle my journey to health. I was recently invited to be a guest on the Dr. Oz show after writing a letter expressing how inspired I was by Nancy Schuessler (also a recent guest of the show).

Nancy lost over 220 pounds on her own following Dr. Oz's plan outlined in his book "YOU: On a Diet". I felt such a connection with Nancy's story, it was like reading my life story, but with the ending I have always dreamed of and never thought possible.

Dr. Oz and his staff are working with me to get from my current state of morbid obesity to the healthy and happy woman I was meant to be. They surprised me by bringing Nancy along to be my Coach. She is so incredible! I felt an immediate sense of sister-hood with her, and I know our bond is one that is not only unique and special, but is also God given.

Thank you for taking the time to read my rambling thoughts, daily struggles, and attempt to overcome the most difficult area of my life -- food addiction. I cannot express how much all the support means to me!